Judge wants more care for homeless, mentally challenged

Judge of Appeal, Justice Paulette Williams, is urging greater care and sensitivity in how society treats the homeless and mentally challenged.

Speaking during the opening of the Michaelmas Term of the Court of Appeal in downtown Kingston recently, Justice Williams noted that the court continues to grapple with challenges posed by individuals within its environment who are homeless or experiencing mental health difficulties.

"I don't know how many of you are aware that there was a fire that affected the rear of the building, some time last term, and the allegations are that the fire was set by a homeless individual. The dumping of garbage there was another issue; the garbage was not dumped by the homeless individual. We were reliably informed that there are business places which actually pay people to come and dump garbage," she stated.

"Maybe they don't know where it is dumped, but it was piled behind us for weeks until a homeless person decided to burn it down. Just last week, another incident involving another mentally challenged individual took place. It took on serious proportions because this person was attempting to set fires, and she was armed with a knife, and when she was accosted by the security guards, she attacked them," she added.

She emphasised the court's efforts to engage the relevant authorities in addressing what has become a persistent and disruptive concern.